The upcoming Jeep® Kentucky Adventure Race Weekend at Carter Caves State Park near Olive Hill not only marks Kentucky's first ever Adventure Race, it will be the first Adventure Race ever staged in North America that includes caves as part of the course.

The Jeep® Kentucky Adventure Race Weekend, October 26th and 27th, will include a challenging 12-Hour Adventure Race on Saturday, and a shorter Kentucky Sprint Race on Sunday. Race organizers expect as many as 250 participants from several states, including both first-time adventure racers and some of the sport's best established teams.

Race producer Don Mann, CEO of Odyssey Adventure Racing, say that Carter Caves is the ideal location for an Adventure Race because it provides a challenging course offering mountain biking, hiking, paddling, rappelling and a ropes course, in addition to the caves.

Acting State Parks Commissioner Ann Latta says she's delighted that the race coordinators picked Carter Caves for their venue. Latta says the State Parks Department is committed to doing everything they can to make this the best Adventure Race in the nation.

The 12 Hour Adventure Race on Saturday, October 26 is perfect for athletes looking for a very demanding single day race that encompasses all of the major disciplines found in the longer expedition-style competitions. The course will provide excellent elevation gain/loss and spectacular scenery.

The Kentucky Sprint Race on Sunday, October 27 will include introductory level compass and map reading, a mountain bike course, a trail run, and a kayak segment. Teams are expected to finish this race in 3 to 6 hours.

One, two, and four-person teams will compete for cash prizes, and everyone who finishes a race will receive an award.

The Jeep® Kentucky Adventure Race Weekend is presented by Lexington KY-based SportsClinicsUSA, and Odyssey Adventure Racing of Virginia Beach, Virginia, the world's largest producer of Adventure Races, including the popular Endorphin FIX, Beast of the East, and U.S. Adventure Racing Association National Championships.

Don Mann, of Odessy Adventure Racing, designer of the Jeep® Kentucky Adventure Race Weekend courses at Carter Caves State Park, says there are a lot of reasons that Kentucky lends itself so well to adventure racing:

MANN 1 Runs :22 Out: "... a great race there"

Don Mann, author of "The Complete Guide To Adventure Racing", and designer of the Jeep® Kentucky Adventure Weekend adventure races, says you don't have to be a seasoned adventure racer to participate:

MANN2 Runs :25 Out: "... can do an adventure race"

Don Mann, CEO of Odessy Adventure Racing, the world's largest producer of adventure races, explains what is unique about the sport of adventure racing:

MANN3 Runs :27 Out: "...proficient in many, many skills."